The diploma thesis deals with the study of hydration of reactive powder concrete under hydrotermal conditions. The theoretical part describes the properties of materials and additives used for the preparation of mixtures. The following describes the principles and requiments for the materials for preparing the reactive powder concrete. The practical part is studied design method mix and the impact of materials to the consistency of paste. The effect of cample placement on flexural and compressive strength of the prepared mixtures was observed. The samples were stored under standart laboratory conditions and under hydrothermal conditions. The phase composition of the samples was monitored by X-ray diffraction analysis and the mocrostructure by scanning electron microscopy.

Reactive powder composites (RPC) have been recently a subject of many researches of modern concrete technology. This type of concrete is very fine and its behaviour exceeds the other types of concrete, therefore there are new possibilities of its use. The design and production of RPC is complex technology process which needs to gain new results in RPC research to get the best features regarding its higher price. This thesis is focused on design of reactive powder concrete (RPC200), which compressive strength is between 200 – 300 MPa. Next goal is to prove the influence of curing regimes like high temperature or pressure, and also check the possibilities of production of low cement reactive powder composite (LCRPC).

Yes / In this study, the enhancement of stainless steel wires (SSWs) to the flexural fatigue performance of reactive powder concrete (RPC) including fatigue life and fatigue stress-strain hysteresis relationship as well as fatigue damage were investigated, and the underlying mechanisms were explored through microstructure observation and characteristic analyses of hydration products. The average flexural fatigue life of RPC is increased by 636.6%, 558.3% and 1010.7% at the maximum stress levels of 0.7, 0.8 and 0.9 when 1.5 vol.% SSWs are incorporated. The method of moments and method of maximum likelihood are employed to calculate the scale and shape parameters for fatigue life subscribed to Weibull distribution. The calculated ratio of flexural fatigue endurance limit to static flexural strength for SSWs reinforced RPC reaches up to 0.64. The incorporation of SSWs decreases the flexural failure damage of RPC by 41.5% and converts the long and link-up micro cracks into emission cracks centered on SSWs. Benefited from the large specific surface area of SSWs, abound of silica fume with pozzolanic activity absorbs on the surface of SSWs and continues to hydrate, reducing the surrounding water-binder ratio to form a microstructure enhancement zone with SSWs as the core and improve the homogeneity of RPC. This can be confirmed by the decrease of porosity, Ca(OH)2 crystal orientation index and molar ratio of CaO to SiO2 for calcium silicate hydrate gels. SSWs can also enhance the fatigue performance of RPC by transmitting hydration heat, inhibiting the initiation and propagation of micro cracks especially at the initial stage of fatigue load, bridging cracks and being pulled-off. The excellent flexural fatigue properties and homogeneous microstructures of SSWs reinforced RPC make it particularly suitable for large-span and ultra-thin elements in extreme service environments.

No / Nickel coated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (Ni-MWCNTs) having exceptional mechanical properties, thermal conductivity and dispersibility can effectively overlap in cementitious matrix, thus forming an enhanced and thermal conductive network. They are therefore a promising nanofiller for modifying cement and concrete materials. This paper studies the compressive properties of reactive powder concrete (RPC) filled with different aspect ratios of Ni-MWCNTs, including strength, toughness, Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio. It is concluded that the incorporation of 0.06 vol.% Ni-MWCNTs with an aspect ratio of 1500 maximally increases the compressive strength and toughness of RPC by 20.24%/20.39 MPa and 43.89%/56.35 (N·m), respectively. However, Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio of Ni-MWCNTs modified composites do not significantly be improved. Besides, a constitutive model of Ni-MWCNTs reinforced RPC under uniaxial compression is established based on the continuum damage mechanics theory, reasonably predicting the relationship between compressive strength and deformation of composites. The modification mechanism of Ni-MWCNTs is also investigated through the temperature distribution monitoring inside composites, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) observation and energy dispersive x-ray spectrometry (EDS) analysis of Ni-MWCNTs reinforced RPC. The thermal conductive network formed by Ni-MWCNTs in matrix reduces the temperature difference and improves the temperature uniformity inside composites, thereby decreasing thermal stresses, primary cracks and defects of composites. Furthermore, the incorporation of Ni-MWCNTs makes the RPC microstructures dense, decreases the average CaO to SiO2 ratio, and inhibits the development of cracks inside RPC, thus achieving effective enhancement to RPC. / National Science Foundation of China (52178188, 51978127 and 51908103), and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (DUT21RC(3)039).

Yes / Super-fine stainless wire (SSW) can not only form widely distributed enhancing, toughening and conductive network in reactive powder concrete (RPC) at low dosage level, but also improve weak interface area and refine cracks due to its micron scale diameter and large specific surface. In addition, the crack resistance zone generated by SSWs and RPC matrix together has potential to further enhance the fracture properties of composites. Therefore, fracture and self-sensing characteristics of SSW reinforced RPC composites were investigated in this paper. Experimental results indicated that adding 1.5 vol. % of SSW leads to 183.1% increase in the initial cracking load of RPC specimens under three-point bending load. Based on two parameter fracture model calculations, an increase of 203.4% in fracture toughness as well as an increase of 113.3% in crack tip opening displacement of the composites reinforced with 1.5% SSWs are achieved. According to double-K fracture model calculations, the initiation fracture toughness and unstable fracture toughness of the composites are enhanced by 185.2% and 179.2%, respectively. The increment for fracture energy of the composites reaches up to 1017.1% because of the emergence of blunt and tortuous cracks. The mixed mode Ⅰ-Ⅱ fracture toughness of the composites is increased by 177.1% under four-point shearing load. The initial angle of mixed mode Ⅰ-Ⅱ cracks of the composites decreases with the increase of SSW content. The initiation and propagation of cracks in the composites can be monitored by their change in electrical resistivity. The excellent fracture toughness of the composites is of great significance for the improvement of structure safety in serviceability limit states, and the self-sensing ability of the composites can also provide early warning for the degradation of structure safety. / National Key Research and Development Program of China (2018YFC0705601), the National Science Foundation of China (51578110), China Postdoctoral Science Fundation (2019M651116) and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities in China (DUT18GJ203).

Yes / As a type of excellent reinforcing filler, super-fine stainless wire (SSW) can form widely distributed network in reactive powder concrete (RPC) to transfer crack tip stresses as well as inhibit the initiation and propagation of cracks, leading to significant improvement of flexural toughness of RPC. In this paper, the flexural toughness of RPC beams and plates reinforced with 1% and 1.5% by vol. of SSWs was investigated, and its calculation model was established according to the composite material theory. Experimental results showed that the flexural toughness of unnotched beams fabricated with RPC containing 1.5% SSWs is 146.5% higher than that of control RPC without SSWs according to load-deflection relationships. The equivalent flexural strength of notched RPC beams is enhanced by 80.0% as SSW content increases from 1% to 1.5%. The limitation ability of SSWs on crack mouth opening can be used to evaluate the flexural toughness of composites. An addition of 1.5% SSWs leads to 201.9% increase of flexural toughness of RPC plates in accordance with load-deflection relationships. The calculation model based on the composite material theory can accurately describe the toughening effect of SSWs on RPC beams and plates. The enhancement of flexural toughness of RPC caused by SSWs is beneficial for improving the safety of structures as well as broadening the engineering applications of composites. / National Key Research and Development Program of China (2018YFC0705601) and China Postdoctoral Science Fundation (2019M651116).

Yes / In this study, anti-corrosion concrete for sewage system was developed with nano TiO2 (NT) and reactive powder concrete (RPC). The corrosion resistances of NT modified RPC (NTMRPC) in high concentration enhanced sewage were investigated from the perspectives of biological, physical and chemical corrosion resistances, respectively. In addition, mechanical properties of NTMRPC after sewage corrosion were also studied. Research results indicated that NT can endow RPC with antimicrobial property through their microorganism biodegradation properties. The inhibition and elimination rates of NTMRPC to its surface microorganisms were 37.35% and 80.93%, respectively. After sewage corrosion, the surface roughness, mass loss and deterioration depth of RPC were decreased by 62.57%, 15.48% and 18.44% due to the NT inclusion, respectively. In addition, the pH values of RPC in the deterioration depth ranges of 0-3 mm and 3-6 mm were increased by 11.45% and 23.62%, respectively. NT can restrain the strength deterioration of RPC in high concentration enhanced sewage. This may be due to the improved sewage biological anti-corrosion performances of RPC by inhibiting/eliminating the microorganisms on the surface of RPC as well as the enhanced sewage physical/chemical anti-corrosion performances of RPC by improving the compactness of RPC. / The authors thank the funding provided by the National Science Foundation of China 513 (51978127 and 51908103), and National Key Research and Development Program of China 514 (2018YFC070560 and 2017YFC0703410).

Yes / To study the flexural behavior of Steel-FRP (Fiber-Reinforced Polymer) Composite Bars (SFCBs) reinforced Reactive Powder Concrete (RPC) frame beams, the flexural behavior of six frame beams with different types of concrete and reinforcement was simulated and analyzed using the finite element software ABAQUS. The strain behavior of concrete and reinforcement was simulated using real strain models, and the simulation results matched well with the experimental results. Based on the validated model, the effect of mechanical properties of concrete and SFCB, reinforcement ratio, and the dimensions of frame beam on the flexural behavior of frame beams was parametrically analyzed. The results showed that, compared with the steel-reinforced ordinary concrete (OC) frame beam, the ultimate deflection of SFCB-OC frame beam increased by 5%. Compared with the SFCB-OC frame beam, the bearing capacity and ultimate deflection of the SFCB-RPC frame beam increased by 16% and 22%, respectively. Improving the steel content of SFCB reduced the ultimate load and deformation of SFCB-RPC frame beam. The yield strength of SFCB core steel had a significant influence on the yield load of frame beam, but a small influence on the ultimate load and deformation. Enhancing the elastic modulus of SFCB out-wrapped FRP reduced the ultimate deformation of the frame beam. Improving the reinforcement ratio of SFCB increased the bearing capacity and reduced the deformation. When reinforced concrete frame beams had similar bearing capacity, the cross-sectional dimensions of steel-RPC frame beam, FRP-RPC frame beam, and SFCB-RPC frame beam are 90.1%, 61.5%, and 72.7%, respectively, of those of their corresponding respective reinforced OC frame beams. All reinforced RPC frame beams exhibited high bearing capacity, good deformation, ductility, and energy dissipation performance. This research can provide a reference for the design of SFCB-RPC frame beams. / High-End Foreign Experts Project of Ministry of Science and Technology, China (G2022014054L), the Science and Technology Project of Gansu Construction System (JK2021-19), the Science and Technology Project of Jiangsu Construction System (2018ZD047, 2021ZD06, 2023ZD104, 2023ZD105), the Science and Technology Cooperation Fund Project of Yangzhou City and Yangzhou University (YZ2022194), the Yangzhou Construction System Science and Technology Project (202309, 202312), the Research Project of Jiangsu Civil Engineering and Architecture Society (the Second Half of 2022). / The full-text of this article will be released for public view at the end of the publisher embargo on 27 Jan 2025.

Submitted by Vanessa Nunes (vnunes) on 2015-03-31T13:19:31Z No. of bitstreams: 1 RobertoChrist.pdf: 9317574 bytes, checksum: 23b19b5dd98381b184ffb8f3c20b2951 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-31T13:19:31Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 RobertoChrist.pdf: 9317574 bytes, checksum: 23b19b5dd98381b184ffb8f3c20b2951 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-02-20 / itt Performance - Instituto Tecnológico em Desempenho da Construção Civil / O desenvolvimento de novos concretos vem sendo ampliado ao longo dos anos, o que ocorre paralelamente ao aprimoramento dos cálculos estruturais e ao maior conhecimento sobre as propriedades dos materiais, o que conduz os projetistas ao desenvolvimento de estruturas que necessitam ter características específicas. Com isso surge a necessidade de se desenvolver concretos especiais, que apresentam elevada resistência mecânica e durabilidade. O concreto de pós reativos, também chamado de CPR, é um exemplo destes materiais. Trata-se de um concreto de ultra alto desempenho, com elevada resistência mecânica, extremamente dúctil e de baixa porosidade. Este tipo de concreto apresenta propriedades mecânicas superiores em comparação aos concretos de alta resistência, chegando a resistências à compressão de 200 MPa, à tração de 45MPa e módulo de elasticidade superior a 50 GPa. O consumo de cimento neste tipo de concreto pode atingir 800 kg/m3, além de incorporar elevado volume de sílica ativa. A otimização granular dos constituintes, realizada através de métodos de empacotamento de partículas, faz com que seja possível obter um material com o mínimo de vazios e elevada densidade. As fibras introduzidas no composto proporcionam elevada ductilidade. Neste trabalho, parte do cimento Portland foi substituído por cinza volante, para desenvolver um CPR com baixo consumo de aglomerantes. Também foi estudada a incorporação de dois tipos de fibras, ou hibridização, para uma matriz de CPR com menor consumo de cimento. A introdução de dois tipos distintos de fibras proporciona ao material maior sinergia, diminuindo a formação e a propagação de fissuras durante o carregamento. Os resultados obtidos nesta pesquisa mostram que a substituição parcial do cimento por cinza volante apresentou melhor desempenho mecânico, atingindo resistência à compressão de aproximadamente 190 MPa com 30% de adição. A incorporação de dois tipos distintos de fibras, aço e polipropileno em teores de 80% e 20% respectivamente, proporcionou ao material elevada resistência à tração na flexão e tenacidade. Portanto, é possível dosar CPR com menores consumos de cimento e uso de dois tipos de fibras, melhorando as propriedades da mistura e obtendo um compósito com reduzido impacto ambiental. / The development of new concretes is being expanded over the years, withal the improvements in structural design, along the increased knowledge of materials properties, which leads the designers to develop structures with specific requirements. It arises the need of the development of special concretes, with have enhanced mechanical strength and durability. Reactive powder concrete, also called RPC, is an example of these materials. This is an ultra-high-performance concrete with high mechanical strength, extremely ductile and low porosity. This type of concrete has superior mechanical properties compared to high strength concrete, reaching compressive strengths of 200 MPa, tensile strengths of 45 MPa and modulus higher than 50 GPa. The cement consumption in this type of concrete may reach 800 kg/m3, while incorporating high volumes of silica fume. The optimization of granular constituents accomplished by particle packing methods provides a material with a minimum of voids and also high density. The fiber introduced into the material compound provides high ductility. On this report, fly ash was used to replace some part of the cement, aiming the development of a RPC with low agglomerate consumption. It was also studied the use of two types of fiber, or hybridization, to a RPC matrix array of CPR with less consumption of cement. The introduction of two distinct types of fibers gives the material improved synergy, decreasing the formation and propagation of cracks during the charging. The results obtained in this study show that the partial replacement of cement by fly ash gives better mechanical performance, reaching the compressive strength of approximately 190 MPa with 30% addition. The incorporation of two different types of fibers, steel and polypropylene at levels of 80% and 20% respectively, provided the materials high tensile strength and toughness. Therefore, it is possible to compose an RPC with lower cement consumption and use of two types of fibers, improving the properties of the mixture and obtaining a composite with reduced environmental impact.

This diploma thesis deals with the design principles and manifacture of ultra performance concrete (UHPC), reactive powder composites (RPC) and other fine-grained materials, such as Macro defect free (MDF) or Densified systems with small particles (DSP). Theoretical part of this work is focused on the requirements of properties and composition UHPC and RPC and methodology of their design principles. Experimental part describes design principles RPC, manufacture of test specimens, testing of certain physical and mechanical properties, such as tensile strenght, bending strenght and compressive strenght and determination chemical character X-ray and thermal analysis.